Gov’t Killing Local Farmers With Imports – Annoh-Dompreh Blasts NDC

The Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has strongly rejected claims that locally grown maize is unsuitable for poultry feed, labelling such assertions as “blatant lies” deliberately spread to justify importing foreign maize at the expense of Ghanaian farmers.

Speaking during an engagement with farmers and traders at Atebubu-Amantin in the Bono East Region on Tuesday, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh alleged that some government officials who have vested interests in import businesses are behind the narrative. He argued that the claim is part of a broader scheme to erode confidence in local agricultural produce and open the market for cheaper imports, especially from Brazil.

He insisted that Ghanaian maize remains nutritious and perfectly suitable for poultry production, warning that such misinformation could devastate local agriculture.

His remarks come amid a deepening agricultural crisis in the area, where farmers of maize, rice, yam, and cashew are struggling to find buyers for their harvests. During the interaction, farmers revealed that prices have collapsed dramatically, with a bag of maize dropping from approximately GH₵1,600 to as low as GH₵200. They lamented that despite a reported GH₵200 million allocation to the Buffer Stock Company, their produce continues to rot because government purchases have not materialised.

Farmers also complained about rising input costs, including fertilisers and labour, which contradict official claims of declining inflation. Many said they are now at the mercy of middlemen who dictate prices, pushing them into severe financial distress. Women traders at the Atebubu market were particularly emotional, with some breaking down as they accused the government of failing to fulfil campaign promises made before the 2024 elections.

Addressing these concerns, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh criticised the government for failing to release funds into the system to support farmers, arguing that the influx of imported rice and maize has collapsed the local market. He insisted that the government must urgently intervene by empowering the Buffer Stock Company to procure local produce, stabilise prices, and restore confidence in the agricultural sector.

He also used the platform to promote locally produced rice, highlighting its nutritional advantages over imported varieties. According to him, Ghanaian rice retains natural fibre—”roughage”—which is often lost in highly polished imported rice, making it both healthier and more beneficial to consumers.

The Atebubu engagement is part of the Minority Caucus’ nationwide tour to interact with farmers and assess challenges across the agricultural sector. The Minority has pledged to serve as the voice of farmers, pressing the government to address what it describes as misplaced priorities and to take immediate steps to rescue the sector.